Can cellulite creams get rid of stubborn cellulite?

Do cellulite creams really work? Or do they just burn a big hole in our pockets?

Cellulite describes the dimpling of skin and is a collection of fatty toxins and fluids that are trapped under the connective tissue in the deeper levels of our skin. As it accumulates, the thin layer of tissue between the fat cells becomes more fibrous – like a scar. The fibrous areas start to pull together around the fat, causing the tiny dimples and irregularities typical of cellulite.

Several factors influence whether a person has cellulite and how much they have. Genes, gender, age, the amount of fat on the body, and the thickness of the skin are all associated with the amount of cellulite or how visible it is.

Between 85% and 98% of post-pubescent females display some degree of cellulite. It is prevalent in women of all races but is more common in Caucasian females than in Asian females. There appears to be a hormonal component to its presentation.

Since the formation of cellulite is closely linked to the effects of hormones in the body, especially the female sex hormones, it is quite hard to believe that something as simple or as superficial as a cream which aims to improve the skin’s elasticity could possibly break down the process of fibrosis, or reverse it.

And because cellulite has been found to be indistinguishable from ordinary fat in every medical and scientific test, it is not proven whether any cosmetic lotion, massager or pills can reduce cellulite. In fact, the only known way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to reduce overall body fat by altering diet or exercise.

But despite the controversies, cosmetic companies continue to introduce products touted to battle cellulites and return us to a state of smoothened skin. And many consumers, probably those like me who are too lazy to exercise or diet, continue to fall for them.

As for my verdict about their effectiveness? Well, I did not get to arrive at one. All because I was too lazy to even continue the regime after a few rubs.